Napoleon III Rococo Revival Crystal Bowl with Acanthus Brass Handles

LE 11,250.00

Design & Inspiration

Place this piece at the centre of a dining table or console and the room orients itself around it. The facet-cut crystal bowl catches every available light source — candlelight, chandelier, afternoon sun — and scatters it across surrounding surfaces in shifting prismatic patterns. The brass frame does not merely hold the bowl; it elevates it, turning a functional vessel into a decorative focal point that reads as sculpture from across the room. This is the logic of Napoleon III Rococo Revival design: no surface left plain, no structural element left unadorned, every component made to compete for the eye's attention.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The bowl itself is crafted from cut crystal, its surface worked in a diamond lattice and curved petal facets that amplify refraction across the full depth of the glass. It rests within a cast brass cradle whose inner rim is finished with fine beading, lifting the crystal clear of the metalwork so neither competes with the other. Two sweeping acanthus-leaf handles rise from the sides — the acanthus being the defining ornamental motif of classical European decorative arts, here rendered with the naturalistic exuberance characteristic of the Second Empire ateliers. The pedestal is a study in layered ornament: a fluted column rising from a rope-twist banded drum set on a square plinth, each face of which is worked with overlapping fan shells, acanthus scrolls, and bracket feet cast in the same warm brass. Every element is handcrafted in Egypt by artisans trained in classical European metalwork and glassware traditions.

Dimensions & Details

Weight: 4 kg. Dimensions: N/A. The substantial weight of this piece reflects the quality of its cast brass components and the density of the cut crystal bowl — both indicators of a serious decorative object rather than a lightweight replica.

Handcrafted in Egypt

Brass & Wood produces this piece in Egypt, where our artisans combine traditional European casting and cutting techniques with hands-on finishing that no industrial process replicates. The brass is cast, chased, and patinated by hand; the crystal is cut and polished individually. Available in multiple brass finishes to suit your interior palette — each variant is made to order, ensuring the piece that arrives is finished with the attention it deserves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this piece made from?

The bowl is cut crystal and the entire frame — handles, pedestal, plinth, and cradle — is cast brass, finished by hand. No resin or composite components are used in the structural elements.

Is this piece fragile?

Yes. The crystal bowl requires careful handling. We pack each piece with professional-grade protective materials to ensure safe delivery, but the crystal should be treated with the same care as fine glassware in the home.